Folding table



J. R. DREW FOLDING TABLE `lune 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 24, 1957 W I \\\\1Lk\\\\\ INVENTOR. JAM x-:s` R. DREW ATTORNEYS J. R. DREW FOLDING TABLE June 7, 1960 Filed April 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In* IKWNIPN mmW E MMR .n D E N. M .1R o FLN; s n rr- A M A J .r n W /O/j//qww k.

INN Ilm NMIWNI United States Patent O 2,939,516 FOLDING TABLE James R. Drew, 2691 Jackson, Eugene, Oreg.

Filed Apr. 24, 1957, Ser. No. 654,813

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-124) y The present invention relates to folding tables, and more vparticularly to a table adapted to be used in auditorium parks, camp grounds and the like. t

The primary object of the invention is to provide a folding table, having seats associated therewith and adapted to be collapsed in a small space, orto be unfolded in operating position with the least amount of physical effort. e

`A further object of theinvention is to provide an im proved folding table Awhich is rugged, stable and simple to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table that is easy to transport from one location to another, having means holding the table in collapsed position, thus making it easy to handle and transport.

A still further object of the invention isto provide a table that is completely self-contained and designed so that none of the parts can become disconnected, eliminating delays due to missing parts.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in Vthe following specification when considered in the light `of the attached drawings, in which: Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention which illustrates the table in erectedposition. y

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of the table in folded position.

2 17 forming part thereof. The cross member 13 is pivotally journalled within bearings 18 xedly secured to the cleats 11 by any suitable means, such as welding or the like.

Slidably mounted on the uprights 12 are sleeves 19 carrying brackets 20. The brackets support the seat boards S in the following manner. Cleats 21, having bearings 22 forming part thereof, embrace the brackets 20 permitting the brackets 20 to revolve therein.

A pair of braces 23 each have one end pivotally connected to ears 24 forming part of the horizontal bar 16 of the uprights 12 and its other end connected to the upstanding ear xedly secured to the cleat 11 on the underside of the table top T. Pins A26 pass through the openings 27 of the ears 25, referring particularly to Figure 5. Locking dogs 28 are carried by the pins 26 and engage the side of the ear at 29, holding the ypin 26 in Figure 3 is an inverted side elevation of the table showing one set of the legs in open position and one set of the legs in folded position.

` Figure 4 is an inverted end elevation of the table, illustratng the legs in operating position and illustrating by dotted lines the position of the seats when the table is erected. Y y

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, partially in section of the structure `holding the locking pins within ,the bracing brackets. Y i

Figure 6 is aside elevation of a modified table structure shown in erected position.

Figure 7 is an inverted plan view of the table shown in Figure 6 in folded position.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an endvelevation of the structure shown inv Figure 6 in erected position.

Referring now to the 'drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference character T indicates generally a table top which with seats S constitutes the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 through 5. The table top T includes boards 10 secured together on their undersides by cleats 11 to form a flat surface. Folding legs, generally indicated at L are pivotally connected to the cleats 11 as follows.

The legs L include a pair of uprights 12 which are Y any suitable means. The U-shaped member 14 includes a horizontal bar 16, having upwardly turned end portions place. The braces 23 are oifset at 30, the purpose of which will be apparent on viewing Figure 3.

I will now describe how the table top T is held in folded position. The legs L are folded down against the bottom of the table top T, the braces 23 first having been removed from the ears 24 forming part of the cross bar 16 ofthe legs L are secured to the ears 31 by the pins 26. The opposite ends of the braces 23 are disconnected from the upstanding ears 25, the pins 26 replaced within the ears 25, after the offset portion 30 has been placed within these ears 25. This holds the legs L in folded position.

One of the pins 26 could, if desired, be replaced by a padlock (not shown) which would prevent the unfolding and erecting of the table top T, as well as holding the brace 23 while the table top T was erected.

In the erection of the table top T, the pins 26 are removed from the upstanding ears 25 and the braces 23 are removed from the ears 31 and placed in the ears 24 and held in position by pins 26. The opposite end of the braces 23 are entered into the upstanding ears 25 and the pins 26 placed therethrough. The table top T is then turned over on its legs L, which causes the sleeves 19 and and the brackets 20, including the seats S, to drop down to the position shown in Figure 1. The brackets 20 and sleeves 22 come to rest on the top 32 of the upstanding end portions 17. This position is also shown by broken lines on the inverted end view Figure 4.-

With this new and improved folding table top T, when the same is folded, the seats S and the Ytop fold within each others length, so that no overhanging of any parts take place.

In Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, a modified form of folding ,table construction is illustrated, althoughvery closely related to the above-described table. The table top T includes boards 10 held together by cleats 11, having bearing sleeves 34 xedly secured thereto.- Upper end 33a of uprights 33 are formed at right angles thereto and mounted to pivot within the bearing sleeve 34, while the lower ends of the uprights 33 are connected together by a cross member 35. The cross member 35 has return bends 36 providing upright end portions 37. The upper ends of these end portions 37 are journalled within bearings 38 forming part of cleats 38a secured to the seat S.

When this modified table top T is folded, the legs L fold towards one end of the table top T, carrying the seats S with them due to the pivot bearing 38 being connected to the upstanding end portion 37 With this form of table top T the seats S and one leg L assembly extend beyond the table top T when in folded condition.

When in folded position, one brace 39a remains pivotally connected to the ears 40a forming part of the cross members 35 of one set of the legs L', while the central portion of the brace 39a engages between the upstanding ears 4l, forming part of the table top T and the pin 26 inserted therethrough. The brace 39 remains pivotally connected to the ears 42 on the table top while the op- Patented June 7, 1960 posite end portion of the brace 39 engages between the ears 43 medially overlying the cross member 35 of the opposite set of legs L. Thisfholds both sets of the legs L' against the top of the table. The legs LVare heldin erected position in a slightlydif ferent manner. One end4 ofthe brace 39 is removedrfrom the ears 43 ofthe leg L while the opposite endpof the brace 39 remains connected to theupstanding ears 42 forming part of thetable top Il .Theopposite end of the brace 39 having been removed from the ears 43 of the table top T is connected to the ears 40 of the legs L'.

The oppositeset of legs L' are moved to and held in erected position in the following manner. The pin 26 is removed from the ears 41 releasing the brace 39a. Both p legs L are raised to a vertical positionV in regards to the table top. This also lowers the seats S to the position shownV in Figures-6 and-9. The end 44 of the brace 39a is placed between the ears 42 and the pin 26 inserted therethrough. The-end 45 of the brace 39 is secured between the ears 40 of the leg assembly L' by another pin 26 which will brace the table in erected position.

With this designof table,lthe occupants can enter from either end ofthe seat S through the clearance between the seat S and the uprights 33, which is a decided advantage, but due to the principle of folding, this table would require a little more storage space when in folded position than does the form shown in Figures l through 5.

Havingv thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that numerous other structural modications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:V Y

A folding table comprising a rectangular shaped table top which comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel disposed rectangular shaped boards that are secured along their longitudinal edges in contiguous unitary relation to each other to form a at surface, a pair of outer cleats secured to the undersurface of said boards adjacent the outer ends thereof in spaced parallel relation to each other and a centrally disposed intermediate cleat secured to the undersurface of said boards in equispaced relation to said outer cleats, a leg unit pivotally connected to each of said outer cleats at each end of said table top, said leg units each comprising a pair of spaced parallel legs, a horizontally disposed cross member integrally connecting the upper ends of the pair of legs of each unit, a pair of U-shaped members each including an elongated horizontally disposed bar-portion integrally connecting the lower ends of the pair of legs of each unit, said bar portions being parallel to said cross members and extending outwardly of the pair of legs of each unit so that the upwardly turned end portions thereof are in spaced parallel relationto. the pair of legs of each unit, an elongated tubular bearing secured to each of'said outer cleats beneath each end of said table for journalling the respective cross members in spaced parallel horizontal relation to each other for maintaining said leg units for movement from a perpendicularly depending position with respect to said table top to a folded position parallel to and underlying said table top, a sleeve slidably mounted on each leg of said leg units, an I Ashaped bracket having a vertically disposed portion secured t a sleeve on each leg of said leg units and having a horizontally extending portion, a pair of longitudinally extending rectangular shaped seat boards, each of the horizontally extending portions of said bracket being rotatably mounted in tubular bearings secured to cleats that are mounted on the undersurface of said seat boards and positioned in alignment with the opposite ends of said outer cleats, said bearings journalling each end of each of said seat boards to the horizontal portion of a respective bracket, the outer ends of the upwardly turned end portions of the ,U-shaped members that aremounted on thelower ends of the pair of legs of each of said leg units engaging the undersurface of said seat boards for xedly supporting said seat' boards in spaced parallel relation to each other beneath the plane of said table top and parallel thereto, a pair of parallel ears integral with the center portion of the bearings journalling said cross member, a removable pivot pin extending between said ears, a second pair of parallel ears integral with each horizontal bar portion of said U- shaped member, Va removable pivot pin extending between said second pair of ears, athird pair of parallel upstanding ears secured to the outer surface of said intermediate cleat centrally thereof, a pair of removable pivot pins extending between said third pair of ears, braces detachably secured at the opposite ends thereof to one pivot pin extending between the ears on the outer surface of said intermediate cleat and to the pivot p in extending between ears on'said horizontal bar portion when said table is in erected position, said braces being connected at one end to the pivot pin between the ears on the bearing journalling said cross member and extending beneath the pivot pins extending between the ears on said intermediate cleat when said leg units are in folded position against said table top when said table is in folded position, said braces extending across said horizontal bar portions of said U-shaped members to hold said leg units in folded position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,227 Sinclair Jan. 26, 1875 1,976,839 Dobie oct. 16, 1934 2,690,210 Houck sept. 2s, 1954 2,746,525 Cooper May 22, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 274,674 YItaly May 30, 1930 

